Business Development Manager at Envision Unlimited in Chicago, IL

Position: Business Development Manager

Department: External Affairs

Reports To: Chief External Affairs Officer

FLSA Status: Full-Time Exempt

Union Status: Non-Union

Work Location: Field-Based

Human Resources Review: 09/2026

Summary:

The Business Development Manager serves as Envision Unlimited boots-on-the-ground relationship builder in priority communities and growth markets. The position is responsible for increasing awareness of Envision Unlimited programs and services, developing relationships with referral sources, generating qualified member and client referrals, supporting local market visibility, and identifying potential community and corporate partnerships.

This is a highly external, field-based position requiring the Business Development Manager to spend significant time in the communities Envision Unlimited serves and seeks to serve. The Manager will build trusted relationships with hospitals, schools, healthcare providers, social service organizations, state and local agencies, case managers, community organizations, businesses, civic groups, elected officials and other stakeholders who can connect individuals and families to Envision Unlimited services.

The Business Development Manager will work closely with program and operations leadership to understand available services, capacity, eligibility requirements and organizational growth priorities and translate those priorities into targeted community outreach and referral-development strategies.

The Manager will also serve as a local ambassador for Envision Unlimited, identifying community events, networking opportunities, partnerships and local marketing opportunities that strengthen Envision Unlimited presence and reputation.

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Essential Responsibilities, include but are not limited to:

Referral Source Development & Member/Client Growth

• Develop and execute market-specific business development plans designed to increase qualified referrals to Envision Unlimited programs and services.

• Identify, cultivate and maintain relationships with organizations and professionals positioned to refer prospective members and clients.

• Develop relationships with hospitals, healthcare systems, behavioral health providers, schools, transition programs, case managers, service coordinators, state agencies, local government entities, social service organizations and other referral sources.

• Conduct regular in-person visits with current and prospective referral partners.

• Educate referral partners about Envision Unlimited services, eligibility requirements, geographic reach and referral processes.

• Identify barriers to referrals and work internally to improve the referral experience.

• Maintain consistent follow-up with referral partners and track referrals generated through individual relationships.

• Develop strategies to convert new referral sources into consistent, recurring referral partners.

• Partner with program leadership to prioritize outreach based upon program capacity and organizational growth goals.

Community Relationship Development

• Serve as a visible Envision Unlimited representative within assigned communities.

• Build relationships with community organizations, chambers of commerce, civic organizations, healthcare networks, schools, municipalities and other local stakeholders.

• Attend community meetings, networking events, resource fairs, conferences and other gatherings where Envision Unlimited should have a presence.

• Develop relationships with community leaders and connectors who can increase awareness of Envision Unlimited.

• Identify opportunities for Envision Unlimited leadership and program staff to participate in community conversations, presentations and events.

• Build a network of community ambassadors who understand and can communicate Envision Unlimited mission and services.

Field Marketing & Local Visibility

• Serve as the primary field marketing representative for assigned markets.

• Identify local events, conferences, resource fairs and community activities that provide meaningful opportunities to reach potential members, families, referral partners and community stakeholders.

• Coordinate Envision Unlimited participation in appropriate community events.

• Distribute and maintain current program and referral materials throughout assigned communities.

• Partner with Marketing & Communications to develop market-specific outreach materials and campaigns.

• Identify opportunities for local media, community newsletters, digital groups and partner communications to increase awareness of Envision Unlimited.

• Gather market intelligence and community feedback to inform organizational marketing and growth strategies.

Corporate & Business Relationship Development

• Develop relationships with businesses and employers within assigned communities.

• Introduce corporate and business leaders to Envision Unlimited mission, services and opportunities for engagement.

• Identify businesses with potential interest in philanthropy, sponsorship, volunteerism, employment partnerships, cause marketing or other forms of engagement.

• Qualify potential corporate partners and transition high-potential relationships to the Director of Corporate Engagement for further cultivation and solicitation.

• Collaborate with the Director of Corporate Engagement on local corporate cultivation strategies when appropriate.

• Identify employers and business partners that may support Envision Unlimited employment services and workforce development efforts.

Market Intelligence & Growth Opportunities

• Develop a strong understanding of the disability, behavioral health and social service landscape within assigned markets.

• Monitor community needs, referral trends, service gaps, competitor activity and emerging partnership opportunities.

• Identify unmet needs and potential opportunities for Envision Unlimited to expand or adapt services.

• Provide regular market intelligence to External Affairs and program leadership.

• Identify potential strategic partnerships that could accelerate Envision Unlimited growth.

• Participate in market-entry and expansion planning for new communities.

Internal Collaboration & Referral Coordination

• Work closely with program and operations leadership to understand current capacity, eligibility requirements, intake processes and growth priorities.

• Establish clear processes for transitioning qualified referrals to appropriate internal teams.

• Track the progression of referrals from initial inquiry through intake and enrollment when possible.

• Communicate feedback from referral partners and prospective members to internal teams.

• Collaborate with the Director of Corporate Engagement, Marketing & Communications, Advocacy & Government Affairs, and other External Affairs team members on shared relationship opportunities.

CRM, Tracking & Reporting

• Maintain accurate records of referral sources, community relationships, corporate prospects, meetings, events and opportunities in Salesforce or other designated systems.

• Maintain a market-specific relationship and referral pipeline.

• Track referral sources and identify which relationships generate the strongest results.

• Prepare monthly reports on outreach activity, referral pipeline, community engagement and market trends.

• Participate in regular pipeline and growth strategy meetings with leadership.

SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES

No supervisory responsibilities.

OTHER EXPECTATIONS

Employees shall respect the diversity of all individuals (e.g., clients, co-workers, stakeholders) and refrain from any form of discrimination and/or based upon a person's legally protected characteristics or conduct, including but not limited to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, and gender identity or expression.

Employees share the responsibility of creating and maintaining a welcoming, supportive, and inclusive work environment.

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and/or skills required of all employees so classified.

QUALIFICATIONS

To perform this job successfully an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required.

EDUCATION, SKILLS, and/or EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Business, Marketing, Communications, Healthcare Administration, Social Services, Nonprofit Management, Public Relations or a related field preferred. Equivalent relevant professional experience may be considered.

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in business development, community relations, healthcare outreach, referral development, sales, nonprofit outreach or a related field.

• Demonstrated success building external relationships and developing referral or business pipelines.

• Experience working in healthcare, behavioral health, disability services, social services or another referral-driven environment strongly preferred.

• Experience conducting community outreach and representing an organization externally.

• Experience working independently in a field-based role preferred.

• Exceptional relationship-building and networking skills.

• Strong business development and pipeline-building mindset.

• Comfortable initiating relationships and conducting significant cold and warm outreach.

• Ability to develop trust with community stakeholders, families, professionals and business leaders.

• Strong presentation and public-speaking skills.

• Ability to understand complex programs and communicate them clearly to different audiences.

• Strong follow-up and relationship-management discipline.

• Ability to work independently and manage a large geographic territory.

• Strong organizational and time-management skills.

• Ability to analyze referral trends and identify growth opportunities.

• Proficiency with Salesforce or comparable CRM systems.

• Valid driver's license and ability to travel regularly throughout assigned markets.

FY27 METRICS, OUTCOMES & KPIS

Primary Outcome: Build a Sustainable Referral Pipeline

Referral Source Development

• Develop at least 75 new qualified referral-source relationships during FY27.

• Maintain at least 100 active referral-source relationships.

• Convert at least 30 new referral sources into active referral partners that generate at least one qualified referral.

• Establish at least 15 high-value recurring referral partners generating multiple referrals annually.

• Maintain documented engagement plans and next steps for 100% of priority referral partners.

Referral Generation

• Generate at least 150 qualified member/client referrals attributable to business development activity during FY27.

• Generate an average of 12–15 qualified referrals per month once fully ramped.

• Establish baseline referral-to-intake and referral-to-enrollment conversion rates during the first two quarters and improve conversion during the second half of FY27.

• Track the source of 95%+ of business-development-generated referrals.

Field & Relationship Development

• Conduct at least 200 substantive external relationship meetings/visits annually, averaging approximately 4 per week.

• Spend approximately 60–70% of working time externally in assigned markets.

• Participate in at least 36 strategic community events, resource fairs, networking events or conferences annually.

• Conduct at least 24 presentations or informational sessions for referral partners and community organizations.

• Establish relationships with at least 10 key community leaders or community connectors in each priority market.

Local Marketing & Brand Visibility

• Develop an annual field marketing plan for each assigned priority market.

• Identify and execute at least 12 targeted local marketing/community visibility opportunities.

• Ensure 100% of priority referral partners have current Envision Unlimited program and referral information.

• Provide quarterly market intelligence reports identifying trends, opportunities, barriers and community needs.

• Generate at least 10 actionable recommendations annually for improving local visibility, referral development or market growth.

Corporate & Business Development

• Identify and qualify at least 25 new potential corporate partners.

• Conduct at least 20 introductory meetings with businesses or corporate prospects.

• Transition at least 10 qualified corporate opportunities to the Director of Corporate Engagement.

• Identify at least 5 potential employment or workforce partners for Envision Unlimited programs.

• Generate at least 3 corporate relationships that progress to a philanthropic, sponsorship, volunteer, employment or other formal partnership in collaboration with the Director of Corporate Engagement.

Systems & Accountability

• Maintain 95%+ CRM compliance for external relationship activity.

• Enter substantive meetings and referral-source activity within five business days.

• Maintain current next steps for 100% of priority relationships.

• Complete monthly pipeline reports and quarterly market assessments on time.

• Participate in quarterly reviews comparing outreach activity to actual referral and enrollment outcomes.

FY27 PERFORMANCE SCORECARD

Performance should be weighted toward outcomes rather than activity alone:

• 40% – Referral & Member/Client Growth: qualified referrals generated; active referral sources; recurring referral partners; referral conversion.

• 25% – Relationship & Pipeline Development: new qualified referral relationships; strategic meetings; community relationships; pipeline quality and movement.

• 15% – Market Presence & Field Marketing: community visibility; events and presentations; local marketing execution; market intelligence.

• 10% – Corporate & Business Development: qualified corporate leads; corporate handoffs; workforce/business partnerships.

• 10% – Systems, Collaboration & Accountability: CRM compliance; reporting; internal coordination; follow-up and relationship management.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing this job, physical requirements may include standing, walking, sitting, seeing, hearing, speaking clearly, and use of hands/fingers. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

This is a field-based position. The Business Development Manager is expected to spend the majority of their time developing relationships and representing Envision Unlimited throughout assigned communities rather than working primarily from an office.

Regular local travel is required. Some evening and weekend work will be necessary to attend community events, networking opportunities, meetings and other activities.

Envision Unlimited offers competitive salaries and a generous benefit package to our professionals:

Blue Cross/Blue Shield Medical Coverage: HMO, PPO

Dental and Vision Insurance Options

Company paid Life and LTD Insurance

Voluntary plans (Pet insurance, AD&D, Life, Critical Illness, Short Term Disability)

11 Paid Holidays

Paid vacation, sick time and personal days

403B plan

In house training and CEU’s

Employee Assistance Network

Support for pursuing clinical licensure (financial and time off)

Opportunity for career growth & development

Envision Unlimited provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws.